LectureSync Privacy Policy
Data the app collects
None. The LectureSync app has no analytics, no advertising, no tracking, no telemetry, and no developer-operated backend. We do not create accounts and do not receive your recordings, transcripts, notes, settings, or API keys. (This refers to the app itself. The marketing website uses basic analytics, described under This website below.)
Where your data is stored
All of the following are stored locally on your Mac and never sent to the developer:
- Recordings (microphone and, if you enable it, system audio) — saved in the app's sandbox container or a folder you choose.
- Transcripts and generated notes — stored in the app and written to the Obsidian vault folder you select.
- App settings — stored in the app's local preferences.
- API keys for any transcription/notes services you configure — stored in the macOS Keychain on your device.
You can delete this data at any time by removing the files, clearing the relevant settings, or deleting the app and its container.
Third-party services you choose to use
LectureSync can transcribe and summarize entirely on-device (using a local Whisper model), in which case no audio or text leaves your Mac. If you instead configure an external service, data is sent to the destination you specify, and that destination's own privacy policy and terms govern how it is handled. Specifically:
- Transcription / notes providers. If you configure a remote provider (for example an OpenAI-compatible API, OpenRouter, or your own self-hosted endpoint), LectureSync sends your lecture audio (for transcription) and/or transcript text (for notes) to the endpoint URL you entered, authenticated with the API key you provided. LectureSync does not choose the provider for you and has no relationship with it; review that provider's privacy policy.
- On-device model downloads. The first time you use on-device transcription, LectureSync downloads the open-source Whisper model files from Hugging Face. This transfers no personal data — it only fetches publicly available model files.
LectureSync does not transmit your data anywhere else, and never to the developer.
Permissions LectureSync requests
- Microphone — to record lecture audio for transcription. Requested by macOS the first time you record.
- Screen Recording — only if you use the "system audio" capture option, which records audio playing on your Mac.
- Folder access — you select your Obsidian vault (and optionally an audio) folder; macOS grants LectureSync access only to the folders you choose.
Your responsibility when recording
You are responsible for ensuring you have the right to record lectures, classes, or other people, and for complying with the recording-consent and copyright laws that apply to you. LectureSync is a tool; how you use it is up to you.
Children's privacy
LectureSync is a general-purpose study tool and is not directed to children, and the LectureSync app does not collect any data from anyone, including children.
This website
Everything above describes the LectureSync app. The marketing website at lecturesync.app is a separate, static site and uses Google Analytics to understand aggregate visitor traffic — for example, page views, referring sites, and approximate (city-level) location derived from your IP address. As part of this, Google may set cookies and process limited technical data; Google acts as our analytics provider, and its handling is governed by Google's privacy policy.
This website analytics is entirely separate from the app and never involves your lectures, recordings, transcripts, or notes. You can block it with most ad/tracker blockers, your browser's "do not track" or cookie controls, or Google's opt-out browser add-on.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted at lecturesync.app/privacy with a new effective date.
Contact
Questions about this policy: info@lecturesync.app.